Abdominal exercising machine

ABSTRACT

An abdominal exercising machine is constructed to include a machine base formed of a first frame and a second frame axially adjustably fastened together, a footplate mounted on the second frame at the top for the resting of the user&#39;s feet, a seat fixedly mounted on the first frame for the user to sit, a back support, the back support having a first supporting frame pivoted to the first frame and holding a lower back cushion and a second supporting frame hinged to the first supporting frame and holding an upper back cushion, two handlebars symmetrically extended from the second supporting frame for the holding of the user&#39;s hands, and a damping device coupled between the first supporting frame of the back support and the first frame of the machine base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a physical exercising machine, and more particularly to an abdominal exercising machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Following the improvement of living standard, modern people do care about the health. Therefore, proper exercise is needed to modern people. However, due to the radiation of the sun, less people would like to do exercises outdoors. Nowadays, a variety of indoor exercising machines have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional abdominal exercising machine 1. This abdominal exercising machine 1 is generally comprised of a machine base 2, a back frame 3, a thigh and knee exercising unit 4, and two handles 5. When in use, the user lies on the cushion at the top side of the machine base 2 and the cushion on the back frame 4 with the hands holding the handles 5 and the legs hooking in the thigh and knee exercising unit 4 to exercise the muscles of abdominal area. This structure of abdominal exercising machine is still not satisfactory in function. Because the user's back is not well supported during exercising, the user's neck tends to be injured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an abdominal exercising machine, which prevents athletic injury during exercising.

[0004] It is another objective of the present invention to provide an abdominal exercising machine, which has a simple structure and, is convenient to operate.

[0005] To achieve these objectives of the present invention, the abdominal exercising machine comprises a machine base formed of a first frame and a second frame axially adjustably fastened together, a footplate mounted on the second frame at the top for the resting of the user's feet, a seat fixedly mounted on the first frame for the user to sit, a back support, the back support comprising a first supporting frame pivoted to the first frame and holding a lower back cushion and a second supporting frame hinged to the first supporting frame and holding an upper back cushion, two handlebars symmetrically extended from the second supporting frame for the holding of the user's hands, and a damping device coupled between the first supporting frame of the back support and the first frame of the machine base.

[0006] Further, an elastic band or return spring may be used and connected between the first supporting frame of the back support and the first frame of the machine frame, for enabling the user to pull back the back support with less effort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates an abdominal exercising machine according to the prior art.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an abdominal exercising machine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention when it is in use.

[0011]FIG. 5 is another schematic view of the present invention when it is in use.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an abdominal exercising machine 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment is shown comprised of a machine base 20, a footplate 30, a seat 40, a back support 50, two handlebars 60, and a damping device 70.

[0015] The machine base 20 is comprised of a first frame 21 and a second frame 22. The first frame 21 has a lock screw 23 at the top of the tubular rear end thereof. The second frame 22 has a longitudinal series of locating holes 24 disposed in the rear end thereof and selectively fastened to the lock screw 23. When the lock screw 23 loosened from the locating holes 24, the first frame 21 and the second frame 22 can be moved axially relative to each other to adjust the length of the base frame 20. When adjusted, the lock screw 23 is fastened to the corresponding locating hole 24 of the second frame 22 to lock the machine base 20 in the desired length.

[0016] The footplate 30 is comprised of a mounting bar 32 fixedly fastened to the second frame 22 at the top, and a plate 31 fixedly fastened to the mounting bar 32.

[0017] The seat 40 is comprised of a seat frame 41 fixedly mounted on the first frame 21 of the machine base 20, and a seat cushion 42 fixedly mounted on the seat frame 41.

[0018] The back support 50 is comprised of a first supporting frame 53 pivoted to a front lug 26 of the first frame 21 of the machine base 20, a lower back cushion 52 fixedly mounted on the first supporting frame 53, a second supporting frame 54, a hinge 531 connected between the first supporting frame 53 and the second supporting frame 54 for enabling the second supporting frame 54 to be turned relative to the first supporting frame 53 within a limited angle, and an upper back cushion 51 fixedly mounted on the front side of the second supporting frame 54. The handlebars 60 are symmetrically extended from the back side of the second supporting frame 54 of the back support 50, each having a rear end fixedly covered with a flexible (sponge) grip 61.

[0019] The damping device 70 according to this embodiment is a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the first supporting frame 53 of the back support 50 and the first frame 21 of the machine base 20, and adapted to buffer the oscillation motion of the back support 50 relative to the machine base 20.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when in use, the user sits on the seat cushion 42 with the feet rested on the footplate 30, the back rested on the back support 50, and the hands holding the handlebars 60. When ready, alternatively bend and extend out the trunk to exercise the muscles of the abdomen. When extending out the trunk, the pressure from the user to the back support 50 must surpasses the damping resistance of the damping device 70. On the contrary, when pulling back the back support 50, the damping device 70 imparts a pressure to the backward movement of the back support 50 to buffer the moving speed of the back support 50. Alternatively bending and extending out the trunk, the muscles of the user's abdomen are trained. Because the damping device 70 buffers the forwards and backwards moving speed of the back support 50, no sudden pressure is produced against the user's neck. Therefore, the abdominal exercising machine 10 is safe in use. Further, a pneumatic cylinder may be used instead of the hydraulic cylinder 70.

[0021]FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the abdominal exercising machine 10A comprises an elastic member 80, for example, an elastic band coupled between a first supporting frame 53 of the back support 50 and a first frame 21 of the machine base 20. When the back support 50 turned forwards, the elastic member 80 is stretched. When the back support 50 turned backwards, the elastic member 80 returns to its former shape to pull the back support 50 backwards. Therefore, the user can pull the back support 50 backwards with less effort.

[0022]FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of an abdominal exercising machine 10B of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a return spring 81 is connected between the back support 50 and the machine base 20 instead of the aforesaid elastic member 80. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An abdominal exercising machine comprising: a machine base provided with a first frame and a second frame, said first frame and said second frame having a respective rear end coupled to each other; a footplate mounted on a top side of said second frame of said machine base for the resting of the user's feet; a seat fixedly mounted on the first frame of said machine base for the user to sit; a back support, said back support comprising a first supporting frame pivoted to said first frame of said machine base, a lower back cushion fixedly mounted on said first supporting frame, a second supporting frame pivoted to a top end of said first supporting frame, and an upper back cushion fixedly mounted on said second supporting frame; two handlebars symmetrically extended from said second supporting frame of said back support for the holding of the user's hands; and a damping device coupled between said first supporting frame of said back support and said first frame of said machine base.
 2. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first frame of said machine base comprises a tubular rear end adapted to receive a part of said second frame and a lock screw mounted in said tubular rear end and adapted to lock the inserted part of said second frame; said second frame of said machine base has a rear end insertable in the tubular rear end of said first frame and a longitudinal series of locating holes disposed in the rear end and selectively fastened to the lock screw of said first frame.
 3. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said seat comprises a seat frame fixedly fastened to said first frame of said machine base, and a seat cushion fixedly mounted on a top side of said seat frame.
 4. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first frame of said machine base has a lug, and the first supporting frame of said back support is pivoted to said lug of said first frame of said machine base.
 5. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first supporting frame is provided at the top end thereof with a hinge, and said second supporting frame is connected to said hinge.
 6. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handlebars each have a rear end fixedly covered with a flexible handgrip.
 7. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an elastic member connected between said first supporting frame of said back support and said first frame of said machine base.
 8. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elastic member is an elastic band.
 9. The abdominal exercising machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said elastic member is a spring. 